One Night

Chapter 166

Audrey

Claudia-my mother-insisted on special ordering a dress for me to wear.

The deep blue fabric of my liquid-silk-gown shimmered in the sun, silver threads catching the light as I moved-a nod to my true nature as the Silver Star. My hair was pulled up into an elaborate updo, braids wound around my head like a halo. My silver streak was on prominent display, the entire strand braided and wound with silver threads so that it shimmered like my dress.

“You look beautiful.”

I glanced up to see Edwin standing in the bedroom doorway. Tonight, he wore an all black suit with a dark blue tie and pocket square that were made of the exact same fabric of my gown.

If I was the moon with my silver and blue, then he was the night sky. With his hair neatly gelled to the side, one curl coming loose across his forehead no matter how hard he tried to keep it swept back, he looked even more handsome.

“I feel like a doll,” I said, looking back at myself.

I pursed my lips, shaking my head. It was a beautiful gown, and the stylist that Claudia had also insisted on hiring had done an amazing job on my hair and makeup. But tonight wasn’t a typical party-tonight, I would be formally accepted into Claudia’s family

Into the Alpha family of Silverbite pack, of which I was now the sole heir.

Edwin shook his head and strode up to me, wrapping his arms around me from behind. His warmth spread through me, fingers pressing solidly through the thin silk of my gown.

“Well, you look like a pretty doll,” Edwin said, h**ing his chin over my shoulder.

I stuck my tongue out, unable to stop myself from chuckling. “It’s not too much, is it?”

Edwin shook his head again. “Tonight is a big night. You should look like a princess. Isn’t this what you wanted, anyway?

I took a deep breath and shut my eyes for a moment. It had been a week since Fiona’s birthday party-the fateful night I’d discovered her past, revealed my identity as the Silver Star, and found out that my biological mother was Claudia

“Yes,” I said. “But I can’t help but feel a bit conflicted about all of it.”

“Why?” Edwin c**ed his head. “You’re set to become Silverbites sole heir. It’s a dream for thousands of young people.” My shoulders tensed just at the thought. Even though Claudia still recognized Fiona as her daughter, she no longer recognized her as the heir to Silverbite-one part of her punishment for everything she had done.

That meant that I truly was the sole heir. And I couldn’t help but feel a bit… guilty, although I didn’t know why.

“Exactly,” I said. “It is a dream. A dream that would have been Fiona’s reality if it weren’t for all of this. Sometimes, I can’t help but feel as if I’ve just swooped in and-”

“Don’Teven finish that sentence,” Edwin cut me off. “Fiona may have been brainwashed by Coldclaw, but at the end of the day, she dug her own grave. You’re the one who had your life stolen from you. It’s your right to take it back. For once in your life, you need to learn to accept that you deserve something.”

I bit my lip, struggling to process that.

Edwin tightened his arms around my waist and pressed a kiss against the side of my neck. The warmth of his lips against my

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Chapter 166

skin made me shiver, and I leaned back into him, nuzzling against his broad form.

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“Everything will be okay,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to the other side of my neck. “I promise. We’re in this together.”

I let out a soft breath that caused the hair around my face to flutter. “It’s still so surreal. Having a mother. A family. A real one.” Even if Fiona being in the mix made everything a touch more complicated.

“Speaking of family,” Edwin said slowly. “I have some news about your adoptive parents.”

I tensed slightly, my heart rate picking up. “What about them?

“They’ve been banned from adopting more kids. And I’m currently looking into ways to put that shady orphanage out of business and transfer the kids to better, safer homes. It’ll take a lot of time, but it’s on the h**on.”

My eyes widened, and I turned in his arms to look at him. “You’ve been doing that?” I whispered. “For me?”

He nodded. “I can’t bear the thought of other kids going through what you went through. We’ll stop it. Change the system. He laced his fingers with mine. “Together.”

Relief washed over me, and I felt tears **k at the corners of my eyes. “Thank you, Edwin. That means more to me than you know

Placing a hand under my chin, he lifted my face and gently kissed me. One hand moved up to cup the back of my neck. gently tugging me closer. I melted into his kiss, savoring the taste of him. He must have had a sip of whiskey to loosen himself before the party, because he tasted faintly of it. Although his kiss alone was intoxicating enough for me.

When we pulled back, he whispered, “I was thinking…” He twirled a strand of my hair around his finger, watching as the silver sparkled in the light. “I’d like to take you to my estate for Christmas. Just you and me. A little vacation together before your last semester.”

A smile spread across my face, the first genuine one I’d worn all evening. “I’d love that.”

The thought of a peaceful holiday with Edwin made me think of the gift I’d bought for him last week-a small antique pocket watch that I’d found at the antique store and spent hours cleaning up and fixing

I couldn’t wait to surprise him with it, already imagining the look on his face when he opened it.

“What are you smiling about?” Edwin asked, his voice a low growl as he brushed his lips across my

brow.

I shook my head, not wanting to ruin the surprise. “Nothing. Just happy.”

With that, I took one last look in the mirror, adjusted my silver hair streak so it was visible over my shoulder, and we headed out together-hand in hand.

We made our way downstairs, the sound of music and chatter growing louder as we wandered through my mother’s home. The scent of flowers and expensive perfume filled the air, mixed with the tantalizing aroma of gourmet h**oeuvres

As we reached the bottom, a hush fell over the crowd. I felt all eyes on me, and I instinctively gripped Edwin’s hand tighter, drawing strength from his touch.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” a voice announced, cutting through the silence, “our guest of honor, Audrey Klein.”

Klein.

I’d never get used to that Never.

Applause erupted, the sound nearly deafening. At the forefront of the crowd, I saw my friends-Tina, Avis, Betty, and Gavin -all beautifully dressed and clapping and cheering for me. I felt my cheeks flush with heat, too overwhelmed by it all to even move. Claudia appeared at my side, hand extended.

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Chapter 166

“My daughter,” she said, “Come join me.”

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She led me through the sea of well-dressed guests, all of whom were gazing at the silver streak in my hair and murmuring amongst themselves. I stiffened, but felt my back relax as Edwin sent a note of approval through our bond.

“You’re doing great. One foot after the other.”

We made our way up to a raised dais at the front of the room, where Fiona was already waiting. She was flanked by two- guards, who had been following her every move since her plot with Coldclaw had been uncovered.

It didn’t feel like enough. Especially not when I felt that stony gaze flicker across my silver streak and saw the disdain in those blue eyes.

Standing beside me, Claudia turned to address the crowd.

“Friends, pack members, honored guests. Tonight, we celebrate the return of my daughter, Audrey. For too long, she was lost to us, but now she has returned-not just as my daughter, but as the true Silver Star”

More applause followed, and I felt overwhelmed by the attention once again, my heart pounding in my chest. My eyes flicked over to Fiona again, and I felt my knees tremble slightly beneath my gown.

Claudia must have noticed my concerned expression. “Don’t worry about Fiona,” she said softly, squeezing my hand. “She has been through a lot lately. She’s just processing everything. We’re working on it.”

I nodded, but I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling in my gut. I couldn’t even relax when the party resumed and the guests began to dance. It was only when a glass of champagne was shoved into my hand that I even snapped my gaze up from the floor.

I met Edwin’s gaze, his fingers warm around mine as he handed me the glass. The look in his eyes told me all I needed to know that he felt my worry through our bond and that he was here for me, no matter what, until the end of our days.

“Thank you,” I said, and not just for the champagne.

He nodded and wrapped one arm around my shoulders, and together, we watched the high folk of Silverbite pack-of my/ pack-dance and drink and laugh.

All except for Fiona, who slipped out far before the party was oVET,

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